WESTHAMPTON, N.J. – A Jamaican immigrant who is the husband of a disabled U.S. Army veteran was arrested last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement even though he has held a green card since 1997, according to a report from NJ.com.
Dane Foster, a 36-year-old father of four, was one of 105 immigrants picked up in a five-day ICE sweep of New Jersey, the publication reported.
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"We literally just dropped our daughter off at daycare," his wife, Alexsa Foster, said in a Facebook video. "They came out of nowhere. They came down on us literally three cars deep and said they were going to take him."
Green Card Holder and Husband of U.S. Veterans at risk of DeportationICE continued attacks on our Community has devastated one of our own, the Foster Family. One week after ICE’s threat on our community, Dane Foster was detained outside of his home while together with his family, his wife Alexsa and their children. Dane has been long standing member of the community and a permanent resident in New Jersey since he received his green card in 1997. Those that know Dane know that he is an active member of his church, where he plays the drums every Sunday service. Dane is not only a loved member of the family but a provider for his family. Mr. Foster and his wife run a lawn family business. Currently, Dane Foster is being detained in the Essex County Jail and he currently does not have any active warrants or any pending unresolved charges. His wife is a VA Disabled Veteran and unable to work at this time or provide for his family. Now is the time we must demonstrate our commitment to the fair treatment of immigrant from our community. Now is the time we as Faith Leaders must stand up against ICE’s cruel attacks on hard working Fathers and Families. Now is the time we must show up, be active, and make our voice heard! To stand in solidarity with Dane Foster and in response to ICE’s hate fueled attacks, we are organizing an Emergency Vigil outside of Essex County Detention Facility. When: Thursday December 13th, 2018 Time: 6:00pm Where: Essex County Detention Center (354 Doremus Ave, Newark, NJ 07105) Video Credit. R. Evolution Productions
Posted by Faith in New Jersey on Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Dane Foster was picked up because of marijuana possession charges in the early 2000s and 2014, according to his attorney Afia Yunus. Foster was not jailed over the charges, but he was fined.
Alexsa Foster says she comes from a family of military veterans and served for seven years as a mechanic in the U.S. Army and National Guard. Due to a fractured pelvis, she suffers from migraines and seizures that leave her unable to work and on disability. She says the lawn maintenance service that her husband ran was the main source of income for her and their four children.
"This is not really what I fought for and signed up for when I joined the military. It's not what I thought this country could be," Alexa Foster said.
A rally was held Thursday night in support of Dane Foster and the other immigrants arrested in the ICE sweep. A GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Foster's legal fees had raised nearly $3,500 as of Friday morning.
Legal residents can be deported for breaking the law, but immigrant rights groups say this rule used to be rarely enforced for green card holders with minor convictions.
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey says that by targeting long-time residents with old or low-level convictions, ICE is terrorizing communities and breaking up families.
ICE released the following statement in regards to Dane Foster's arrest:
ICE conducts targeted immigration enforcement actions in compliance with federal law. Dane Foster, a Jamaican national, is subject to removal from the U.S. based on his criminal history. He has been entered into immigration proceedings with the Executive Office for Immigration Review.